Carragher declines McClaren's Euro2008 invite

England manager Steve McClaren has confirmed Liverpool defender Jamie
Carragher has decided not to return to international football.

The centre-back has deliberated long and hard over his original decision to
ask not to be considered for his country.

McClaren made a personal visit to Liverpool's training ground on Monday for a
face-to-face meeting with Carragher, but the situation remained the same, with
the tough defender politely declining a request to change his mind.

McClaren told a press conference, televised by Sky Sports News: 'I met Jamie
on Monday and had a very good conversation but unfortunately he's stayed with
the decision to not be involved with us.

'We respect that, Jamie has been a fantastic servant for England.

'I won't close the door, who knows in the future.'
McClaren did not say he would never consider Carragher again and also admitted
Sol Campbell could return to the England team.

He added on Sky Sports News: 'I'm not ruling out anybody at the moment.'

McClaren admits losing Wayne Rooney to injury is 'a big blow' but believes
his squad can cope without the Manchester United striker.

The 21-year-old is out for two months after suffering a hairline fracture of
his left foot in United's opening Premier League game against Reading and will
miss the friendly against Germany and more importantly the Euro 2008 qualifiers
against Israel and Russia.

McClaren accepts Rooney is a key player but sees no reason why the team cannot
still get the right results in his absence.

'It's a blow because he was looking so fit and well in pre-season, so
obviously it's a big blow. He is an important player for England and I was
disappointed to get the phone call but by Monday morning I had to move on. We
have always had to do that in the past and we'll do it again.

'We had a positive summer against Albania (a B international), Brazil (a
friendly) and Estonia (a qualifier) where we gave fringe players a game, and we
did that without Wayne.'

McClaren revealed he had spoken to Michael Owen, who is on his way back from a
thigh injury following on from a long-term knee problem which sidelined him for
the majority of last season.

He told Sky Sports News: 'I spoke to him on Tuesday, he was very buoyant, of
course he is frustrated to be injured.

'He's got a few more days' training, I think he plays in a friendly behind
closed doors today and at the weekend. There are a few of those players (in the
same situation).'

McClaren has every confidence that England have enough firepower without
Rooney to score the vital goals to get their flagging qualification campaign
back on track.

'We've still got Peter Crouch, Owen may be available and there is also the
likes of Alan Smith, Darren Bent, Andy Johnson, Jermain Defoe and David Nugent,
players like that who have played for England and have proved that they can play
at this level.'

Former captain David Beckham will continue his international comeback against
Germany in next week's friendly providing his rehabilitation from an ankle
injury continues without further setbacks.

McClaren, who travelled to the States to see the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder
recently, said: 'We've got to assess it over the next few days. He'll be in the
squad, we want him to come over and play a part against Germany but it all
depends on what happens this evening (when Galaxy face DC United in the
SuperLiga).

'We'll be keeping in close contact with him and the Galaxy medical staff to
see his condition.

'If at all possible of course we'd like David to join us on Monday.'

The England manager revealed he is looking forward to next week's game with
England's old rivals and insists both sides will be taking the game seriously.

He added: 'It's a great friendly. Is there ever a friendly against Germany? I
think for anyone who puts on an England shirt it's not a friendly. They want to
win the game and we do and we will be preparing from Monday morning to do
exactly that.'

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson recently admitted he had been forced
to sign foreign players because English ones were too expensive, leading to
doubts again being raised over the future prospects of young homegrown players.

But while McClaren admits there will always be room for more young English
players in the game he rejected suggestions foreign players have ruined the
domestic game.

He said: 'Foreign players have been very, very good for our game. They have
really heightened the profile, they have really improved the quality. But as the
England manager with my England hat on yes we would like greater depth, yes we
would like greater quality.

'I think there are certain initiatives to make sure have that in the future
we have got that. We still have top players in the world in our league and they
are English.'